TORONTO — For most of Toronto FC's young lineup, Wednesday night's Amway Canadian Championship semifinal against Montreal was a 90-minute job audition.
They made the most of it.
Toronto built a 4-0 lead and held it until the 86th minute. The Impact scored two late goals to end the game at 4-2, making next Wednesday's second leg in Montreal far more interesting.
Jonathan Osorio and Jordan Hamilton each scored twice as Toronto FC showed off a made-in-Canada attack. Impact substitute Michael Salazar headed in a marvellous Didier Drogba cross in the 86th minute and then Drogba himself beat Clint Irwin with a free kick in stoppage time.
"A lot of guys on the team that played today don't normally play," said Osorio, one of perhaps four starters in Toronto's lineup. "When you get your chance in these games, it's very easy to be motivated."
Ottawa Fury FC upset the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 in the first leg of the other semifinal.
The Impact fielded the more established team on paper but failed to deliver for the first 85 minutes and were schooled by a young Toronto squad before an approving BMO Field crowd of 22,143 that included Raptors big man Bismack Biyombo.
Montreal was reduced to 10 men in first-half stoppage time when captain Patrice Bernier was shown a straight red for a studs-up tackle on Toronto midfielder Daniel Lovitz. An irate Lovitz bounced up and went after Bernier, precipitating a melee. He was fortunate to escape sanction from referee David Gantar for the retaliation.
Montreal coach Mauro Biello called the red card "a little bit harsh." Toronto counterpart Greg Vanney saw it as a dangerous play that luckily did not result in injury.
With no Sebastian Giovinco (adductor), Jozy Altidore (hamstring) or captain Michael Bradley (Copa America), Toronto was without US$18.4 million worth of designated players based on their salaries this season.
Montreal was also missing players but was still able to start its first-string attack in Drogba, Ignacio Piatti, Dominic Oduro and Lucas Ontivero. Despite the stars on display, Montreal was listless in the first half and trailed 2-0 at the break.
"It's disappointing to come out that way," said a clearly irked Biello. "Toronto wanted it more. You could see the first half we were second to everything. We were too casual in the back."
He took some solace from the two late goals and the injection of energy from Salazar and fellow substitute Cameron Porter.
"It gives us a boost now going back home and we have a series," he said.
Toronto's starting 11 had 21 career MLS regular-season goals between them, compared to 121 for Montreal.
"I knew they were motivated. I know they're talented and I knew they were going to be organized," Vanney said of his side.
Each team started four Canadians: Osorio, Hamilton, Ashtone Morgan and Mo Babouli for Toronto and Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare, Wandrille Lefevre, Kyle Bekker and Bernier for Montreal.
Veteran midfielder Benoit Cheyrou, in his first action since April 2 due to a quad injury and suspension, captained Toronto.
Osorio, a 23-year-old attacking midfielder from Brampton, Ont., opened the scoring in the 13th minute, able to corral a Morgan cross at the edge of the six-yard box and knock it in before the Impact defence reacted. He scored again in the 34th, slotting in a Babouli cross from a Morgan thrown-in. The ball went to a lunging Hamilton first and then bounced back to Osorio, who again found separation from the defence.
Hamilton credited the goal to Toronto FC II coach Jason Bent, who has drilled into him to make the near post run. Osorio credited Hamilton's skills in getting the ball back to him.
Hamilton, a 20-year-old forward from Toronto, made it 3-0 in the 60th minute, skillfully making room for a shot after a nice flick-on from Babouli and deft pass from Cheyrou. He scored again in the 80th with a beautiful move to create space for the shot after a fine pass from Steven Beitashour.
"My job is to score goals. That's been a moment I've been dreaming about for three years now," said Hamilton, whose previous goals for TFC had come in friendlies. "And I luckily got to do it twice in one night. It was just a surreal moment for me."
Hamilton, who reckoned he had dished out 18 tickets, celebrated in front of family and friends.
The Impact had trouble breaking down the Toronto defence and were often reduced to stroking the ball around in their own half.
The tournament winner advances to the CONCACAF Champions League where a berth in the FIFA Club World Cup is up for grabs. Toronto has won the title four times to Montreal's three and Vancouver's one.
TFC was also missing midfielder Will Johnson, who is away with Canada. Mark Bloom, Josh Williams and Tsubasa Endoh were injured.
Montreal fielded a makeshift backline with Laurent Ciman (Belgium) and Ambroise Oyongo (Cameroon) away on international duty and Victor Cabrera and Donny Toia both injured. Midfielders Marco Donadel and Calum Mallace were also injured.
Backup Erik Kronberg started in goal.
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